These shops are destinations in and of themselves.
In an age of digital readers and one-click ordering, the physical bookshop remains a special kind of sanctuary. The best ones are more than just stores; they are cultural institutions, architectural marvels, and community hubs imbued with the quiet magic of discovery. They are places built for Browse, for getting lost in the aisles, and for stumbling upon a story you never knew you needed.
For the literary traveler, these famous bookshops around the world are essential pilgrimages, destinations worth planning a trip around.
1. Shakespeare and Company is a legendary Parisian literary haven.
Nestled on the banks of the Seine, just across from Notre Dame, Shakespeare and Company is arguably the most famous independent bookshop in the world. The original shop, opened by Sylvia Beach in 1919, was a gathering place for “Lost Generation” writers like Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce. The current incarnation, opened in 1951 by George Whitman, carries on this bohemian spirit.
With its crooked shelves, cozy reading nooks, and resident “Tumbleweeds”—aspiring writers who sleep in the shop in exchange for helping out—it feels like a living piece of literary history. It’s a chaotic, charming, and utterly essential pilgrimage for any book lover visiting Paris, a place where the ghosts of literary giants feel incredibly close.
2. A swirling crimson staircase defines Portugal’s Livraria Lello.
Livraria Lello in Porto is a bookshop so breathtakingly beautiful that it frequently requires an entry ticket to manage the crowds. Opened in 1906, its Art Nouveau interior is a feast for the eyes, featuring intricate wood carvings, a stunning stained-glass ceiling, and, most famously, a magnificent, curving crimson staircase that sweeps up to the second floor. It feels less like a shop and more like a fairytale library.
It is widely rumored that the shop’s magical atmosphere served as an inspiration for J.K. Rowling when she lived in Porto and was writing the early Harry Potter books, though she has since clarified this. Regardless of the connection, the sheer theatricality of the space makes it a must-see. The entry fee is redeemable against a book purchase, encouraging every visitor to leave with a story.
3. A magnificent former theatre houses El Ateneo Grand Splendid.
Consistently named one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, El Ateneo Grand Splendid lives up to its name. The store is housed inside a stunningly preserved early 20th-century theatre in Buenos Aires. The original frescoed ceilings, ornate carvings, and plush crimson stage curtains have all been kept intact, creating a retail experience of unparalleled grandeur. Books now line the former tiered balconies where patrons once sat.
Visitors can browse for books in the former audience boxes or settle into a chair on what was once the main stage, which now houses a cafe. It’s a masterful example of adaptive reuse, transforming a space for performance into a temple for the written word. The unique setting provides a truly unforgettable atmosphere for getting lost in a good book.
4. Venice’s Acqua Alta Libreria keeps its books in boats.
This Venetian bookshop is famous for its creative and charmingly chaotic solution to the city’s constant flooding. The name “Acqua Alta Libreria” translates to “High Water Bookshop,” and it lives up to it by keeping its vast collection of new and used books safe inside waterproof bins, bathtubs, canoes, and even a full-sized gondola. It’s a quirky and uniquely Venetian approach to preservation.
The shop is a maze of overflowing rooms, with a resident cat often found napping atop a stack of books. One of its most famous features is a staircase in the backyard made entirely of old, damaged books, leading to a small perch with a view of a canal. It is a wonderfully eccentric and unforgettable place.
5. Powell’s City of Books covers an entire city block in Portland.
Powell’s is not just a bookstore; it’s a landmark and a literary ecosystem. Claiming to be the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world, it occupies an entire city block in Portland, Oregon, and houses approximately one million books. The store is so vast that you need a map, available at the entrance, to navigate its nine color-coded rooms and 3,500 different sections.
What makes Powell’s special is its unique model of shelving new and used books together, allowing for serendipitous discoveries on every shelf. You can spend an entire day getting lost in its aisles and still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface. It’s a true paradise for any dedicated reader.
6. A 13th-century church was transformed into Boekhandel Dominicanen.
Located in Maastricht, Netherlands, this bookstore offers a truly divine experience. Boekhandel Dominicanen is housed within a magnificent 700-year-old Dominican church, creating a stunning contrast between ancient Gothic architecture and modern design. A massive, multi-story black steel shelving unit was erected in the center of the nave, allowing visitors to browse books high up among the stone vaults and historic ceiling frescoes.
The former altar now serves as the store’s cafe, offering a unique spot to enjoy a coffee under the church’s soaring arches. The project is celebrated as a brilliant example of adaptive reuse, preserving a historic sacred space by giving it a new, vibrant life as a cathedral of books.
7. Daunt Books in London is organized by country.
Daunt Books in Marylebone is a treasure for any traveler. The shop itself is a beautiful space, with long oak galleries, graceful skylights, and a stunning stained-glass window at the far end. It has the feel of a classic Edwardian library, but its true genius lies in its unique organizational system. Books here are arranged by country, not by genre.
In the France section, for example, you’ll find travel guides, novels, history books, biographies, and cookbooks all shelved together. This encourages a holistic discovery of a place through its literature, making it the perfect shop for planning your next trip or reliving a past one. It’s a brilliantly simple concept that completely changes the Browse experience.
8. The beat generation lives on at City Lights Booksellers.
A vital piece of American counter-culture history, City Lights in San Francisco is more than just a bookstore; it’s a literary landmark. Founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, it became the heart of the Beat Generation, famously publishing Allen Ginsberg’s controversial poem “Howl” and winning the ensuing obscenity trial, which set a major precedent for freedom of speech.
The shop continues to be a beacon for progressive and alternative literature, with three floors packed with books on poetry, politics, and world fiction. A visit to City Lights feels like stepping into a different era, a place that championed rebellious voices and fundamentally changed the course of American literature. It remains an essential stop in the city.
9. Atlantis Books is a whimsical clifftop shop in Santorini.
Carved into the stunning white cliffs of Oia, Santorini, Atlantis Books is a passion project with a breathtaking view. It was founded in 2004 by a group of friends from England and America who, on a whim, decided the beautiful Greek island needed a proper bookshop. They created a whimsical, cave-like space filled with books, art, and cozy nooks.
The shop’s terrace offers a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea, making it one of the most scenic places in the world to browse for a new read. The store’s hand-drawn signs, quirky timeline of its own history painted on the wall, and laid-back vibe make it a truly magical and inspiring place, a testament to friendship and the love of books.
10. Tokyo’s Tsutaya Books is a modern architectural marvel.
Proving that bookshops can be cutting-edge, the Daikanyama T-Site complex in Tokyo is a stunning example of modern design. The store is housed in three interconnected buildings whose latticed white walls spell out the letter “T.” Inside, it’s a beautifully curated “lifestyle” destination, blending books with music, movies, a high-end stationery section, and a comfortable lounge and cafe.
The space is designed for lingering, with expert “concierges” available to offer recommendations on any subject. It’s a sophisticated and serene environment that celebrates the book as a beautiful object and a gateway to a richer life. It represents the future of bookselling as a curated, experiential destination.